Kilshannig claim first U-21 ‘B’ hurling title

Kilshannig 3-23 Ballyhea 2-16

KILSHANNIG took the Country Clean Under-21 B HC title at Churchtown on Friday for the first time ever. The Glantane side got off to a perfect start with Diarmuid O’Sullivan opening with a second minute goal. Good play by Kieran Twomey led to a fine Kevin O’Flynn point. Kieran Twomey landed a free.

Ballyhea had to wait until the eighth minute when Sean O’Kelly put Eugene O’Leary in for a point. Kevin O’Flynn forced Ballyhea keeper Adam Curtin to save well with the rebound going out for a ‘65’ that O’Flynn converted. Good play by Conor Murphy led to a foul on Dermot Twomey with O’Flynn opening up a lead 1-5 to 0-1 from the free.

Ballyhea had their second point in the 15th minute from Tom Hanley. Kevin O’Flynn replied for Kilshannig but both sides missed a few chances before Ballyhea moved into a 1-8 to 0-6 lead.

Kilshannig hit for their second goal in the 23rd minute when Dermot Twomey put Conor McMahon through 2-8 to 0-6. Ballyhea made a huge recovery, points by Tom Hanley and Eugene O’Leary cut the lead to two goals. A free by Jamie Copps found Luke Crowley who placed Tom Hanley for a goal.

In the 28th minute a foul on Eugene O’Leary saw the same player belt the free to the net as the sides were level for the first time at 2-9 each. Good play by Tom Hanley led to a lead point by Niall Crowley. Kevin O’Flynn levelled for Kilshannig with a free just before half time at 2-10 each.

The sides were also deadlocked three times early in the second half. From here on Kilshannig got on top in the half backline where Bill Curtin, Brian Guerin and Jack Kearney excelled. Their midfielders and forwards worked very well as a unit and took very good scores. Tony Brennan chipped in with three points with Kevin O’Flynn also pointing. By the 47th minute Kilshannig led 2-20 to 2-14.

Good play by Bill Curtin and Diarmuid O’Sullivan led to a well taken goal by Kevin O’Flynn. Eanna O’Hanlon, Kevin O’Flynn and Dermot Twomey added points for the winners while Ballyhea had two late points by Tom Hanley and Eugene O’Leary but there was no denying Kilshannig.

After the game Liam Hanley on behalf of the sponsors Country Clean presented the cup to the winning captain Dermot Twomey in the presence of Board Chairman Barry Aherne. Kevin O’Flynn was named ‘man of the match’

KILSHANNIG: J Lyons, D Taylor, J Cronin, J Murphy, B Curtin, B Guerin, J Kearney, C Murphy, C O’Shea, K Twomey 0-4 (3f, 1 ‘65’), K O’Flynn 1-11 (0-4f), T Brennan 0-3, D O’Sullivan 1-1, D Twomey 0-2, C McMahon 1-0. Sub: E O’Hanlon 0-2 for K Twomey (inj)

BALLYHEA: A Curtin, J Horgan, M Crowley, A Barrett, N Crowley 0-1, J O’Leary, W Carroll, N Crowley, J O’Leary, W Carroll, J Copps 0-2, S O’Kelly, M Mortell, T Hanley 1-9 (0-5f), E O’Sullivan, L Crowley, E O’Leary 1-4 (1-0f), T Foley.

REFEREE: Dave Farrell (Mitchelstown)